Why to Avoid Humor in Business Writing

Why to Avoid Humor in Business Writing

Everyone
loves to laugh.That’s why you may be
tempted to use humor in some of your business communications.You may want to start a speech with a joke,
or break the ice at a meeting with a funny story.It seems like a good idea, but it may
backfire.That’s because everyone does
not find the same things funny.

Here’s
the problem.You share a joke or
humorous story and ...

•Half the group
already heard it.

•Many attendees
previously received it in e-mail.

•No one gets it.

•Someone in your
group is offended.

•It gets groans
instead of laughs.

•You find you are
the only one laughing at it.

The
upside of the telling is you get a laugh. The downside may be a steep fall that
at best reflects poorly on your judgement.My advice?Stick with human
interest stories.They’re a lot safer
and everyone can identify with them.